avanderzwan

Following the Sudanese Peace Treaty on January 9 the Democratic Republic of Congo signed another peace treaty yesterday. It is exciting and hopeful, but does not mean that everything is golden. There are a lot of issues that still plague the area. The ethnic Hutu extremists, the ‘Interahamwe’ (same group that carried out the Rwanda killings), are still in the DR Congo. The treaty calls for help from the U.S., the U.N. and the European Union. These three groups will place peace keeping stations in between all of the major fighting regions to control the peace. The treaty calls for an active roll from the international helpers, not just an observing one.

This conflict has killed 5.4 Million people over the last decade. It has been the largest conflict since WWII. It has displaced 800,000 people. The treaty calls for the escorted safe return of these 800,000 people as well as international support in maintaining their security upon return. The U.S., U.N. and European Union will also teach the Congolese army who are notorious for being uncontrollable and ruthless.

I am not pretending to be a reporter here. I am just excited. I am fully aware that this could be another broken treaty but it is at least a step in the right direction. We will see where this goes from here.

Reference:
NPR (optimistic) – http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18368606
BBK News (seemingly more realistic) – http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7206823.stm

So two years ago I went on a trip to Northern Ireland for Interim at Calvin College. We took lots of pictures and some digital camera video of our experiences while there. This is a video/picture montage of those pictures so that we can remember and cherish those memories. For these reasons I apologize for releasing it so late, again two years. But at least it is out and shareable/viewable.

Hope you enjoy.

Google video link

I am wondering why I have been so lethargic about going to, being at, staying at, and performing ‘duties’ at work lately. I’m not entirely sure lethargic was the correct word either. I would use agnostic but I want to save that one for a later post, so I will just stick with lethargic. Basically I just have had no motivation. It could stem from one or all of the following

• I go to bed too late,
• I have had a limited amount of exciting projects,
• I have been working one year now and the ‘new job’ excitement is beginning to wearing off,
• Joel recently bought an XBox 360 so I have been playing Halo 3 (a video game) a lot and honestly, work seems sub-par compared to it.

Ugh, the answers seem so easy, but to actualize them is so hard. I guess motivation to become motivated is really my biggest problem; its just unfortunate that they both share the same four ‘lack of motivation’ stems. Whoa, circles are all around us aren’t they. Maybe I just have to sit around and wait for an external force to move me out of my circular boredom, just have to wait for the next sex-rock-tv-show-website that needs to be developed and I will be rolling again on the ‘excited about what I do’ train. Doubtful. The only reason the doubtful comes so suddenly is that I know that even if I do get an exciting new project, one day, that project will be finished and I will be back over here and then what, more? If that is what I rely on to find excitement I will eventually be doing coke off of the toilet seat at the nearest 7-11. Let’s be honest, only one person wants that… I love you too Joel.

I don’t have answers, only questions. So for now, one day at a time. My Halo 3, night/social life, and strong coffees in the morning will have to allow me some sanity during the week, then some full breaths on the weekend.

Just a little of where I’m at…

Apparently, now you can order Papa John’s pizzas with text messages. You have to sign up online and save up to 4 favorite orders. Then you can text ‘FAV1′, ‘FAV2′, ‘FAV3′, or ‘FAV4′ to 4PAPA. They will reply with your order (title) and you can confirm or change it. Then, 30 minutes later, it arrives or is ready for pickup, whatever you choose in your online settings.

Seems great, but I can’t figure out how to order specials (i.e. “The Calvin Special”), and honestly $13 for a Large Papa John’s Pizza with one topping is far too expensive in my mind.

If anyone learns how to setup an $8 pizza w/ 1 topping as a ‘FAV’, please let me know.